oceanpolicy.com

In commemorating the 50th anniversary of the National Marine Sanctuary, Marine Mammal Protection, and Coastal Zone Management Acts, NOAA Administrator Dr. Rick Spinrad today said that the last 50 years “have demonstrated our nation’s ability to work collectively to spur economic opportunity, protect our natural resources and wildlife, and ensure that future generations are able to enjoy [...]

NOAA today announced the release of a “National Five-Year Strategy for Combatting Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing” that includes U.S. priorities and plans to address IUU fishing and promote global maritime security. Prepared by the U.S. Interagency Working Group on IUU Fishing, the Strategy was developed to support the following objectives: Promote sustainable fisheries management and governance Enhance the [...]

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced that it is seeking comments by Friday, Dec. 16 on its proposal to designate ~2,353.19 square kilometers of critical habitat for the threatened Nassau grouper. The proposed critical habitat is located off the coasts of southeastern Florida, Puerto Rico, Navassa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  The Nassau grouper was listed as threatened [...]

The Interior Department today announced the renewal of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Public Advisory Committee (Committee). Established in 1992 following a court-approved settlement between the United States government and the State of Alaska, the Committee advises the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council on decisions relating to the allocation of funds and the conduct of restoration and [...]

The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Gulf Coast Restoration today announced three Notice of Funding Opportunities for the RESTORE Act’s Direct Component and Centers of Excellence Research Grants Program.  The funding opportunities will remain open through Oct. 31, 2023. The Direct Component funding opportunities specifically pertain to construction and real property acquisition activities (including environmental restoration projects) and non-construction [...]

The White House today announced the release of a new National Strategy for the Arctic Region, saying that the United States “seeks an Arctic region that is peaceful, stable, prosperous, and cooperative” and that the National Strategy “seeks to position the United States to both effectively compete and manage tensions.” An update to the 2013 version, the National Strategy [...]

The State Department today announced that the Shipping Coordinating Committee will hold a public teleconference meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 7 in preparation for the 79th Session of the International Maritime Organization’s Marine Environment Protection Committee, to be held in London on Dec. 12-16.  Agenda items include harmful aquatic organisms in ballast water, air pollution prevention, reduction of GHG emissions from [...]

The United States joined Angola, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Ireland, Mauritania, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Senegal, Spain, and the United Kingdom in issuing a statement today highlighting a commitment to “a peaceful, prosperous, open, and cooperative Atlantic region, while preserving the ocean as a healthy, sustainable, and resilient resource for generations to come.” [...]

NOAA, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and Marc and Lynne Benioff today announced the award of ~$2.6 million in five grants to support the management and conservation of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, with funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo called the project “a transformational opportunity to invest [...]